Archives for green-buildings

Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings

Author: Brian Meacham, Brandon Poole, Juan Echeverria and Raymond Cheng, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Re-posted by permission of Brian Meacham NFPA

Introduction
Many new commercial facilities are being designed and constructed with an objective of achieving a “green building” certification. There are many sustainable building features and products that singly or together may have an impact on fire safety unless there is a design approach which mitigates those effects. The Foundation commissioned this study to develop a baseline of information on the intersection of “green building” design and fire safety and to identify gaps and specific research needs associated with understanding and addressing fire risk and hazards with green building design.

Executive Summary:

A global literature review was undertaken to (a) identify actual incidents of fires in green buildings or involving green building elements, (b) identify issues with green building elements or features which, without mitigating strategies, increase fire risk, decrease safety or decrease building performance in comparison with conventional construction, (c) identify reports, studies and best practice cases which speak to the issue of addressing fire risk introduced by specific green building design elements, and (d) identify research studies in which building safety, life safety and fire safety have been incorporated as an explicit element in green building indices. In addition, consideration was given to how one might express the level of increased risk or hazard, or decreased performance, associated with fire performance of green building features. Steps were also taken to identify gaps and specific research needs associated with understanding and addressing fire risk and hazards with green building design. Brian Meacham et al, Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings (Fire Protection Research Foundation, 2012), p.2

Full Report Link:

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on December 3, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Brian Meacham, Building Construction, eco-friendly products, Fire Safety, Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings, Firefighter Safety, Fires in Green Buildings, Green, Green Building Access Hazards, Green Building Design, Green Building Hazards for Firefighters, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, Green Roofs, greenmaltese.com, Hazards of Modern Roofs, John Shafer, NFPA, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, Recycled Materials, Solar Energy, Structural Insulated Panels, Sustainable, Sustainable Design

Expect more Foam Sheathing Insulation

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 6, 2012) – The Foam Sheathing Committee (FSC) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), through an industry effort, achieved an important change in gaining broad acceptance of a performance-based standard for the use of foam insulation products in all code complying commercial applications during the recent International Building Code (IBC) Final Action Hearings in Portland, Oregon. The International Code Council (ICC) approved for inclusion in the 2015 International Building Codes the Structural Building Components Association’s (SBCA) FS 100-2012: Standard Requirements for Wind Pressure Resistance and Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing Used in Exterior Wall Covering Assemblies.

Full Original Press Release:

Why is Foam Sheathing Insulation being used more than ever before?

Residential housing design continues to move towards the development of high performance sustainable building systems. To be sustainable, a building must not only be efficient and durable but also economically viable. From this, new methods of enclosure design have been examined that provide high thermal performance and long-term durability but also take opportunities to reduce material use (including waste), simplify or integrate systems and details, and potentially reduce overall initial costs of construction.

One concept relating to enclosure design is to incorporate the use exterior foam insulating sheathing into the construction of the wall assembly. As with any building enclosure system, appropriate detailing for the management of water, vapor, and energy transfer are necessary.

Foam Material Properties:

There are three main types of insulating sheathing currently being used in the industry: Expanded

Polystyrene (EPS), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso).

Each of these products all has a different set of physical properties that will affect the dynamic of the wall assemblies in regards to the transmission and management of heat and moisture.

Types of Foam

Insulating foam sheathings are split into two basic categories: 1) thermoplastics, 2) thermosets. Both EPS and XPS foams are thermoplastic foams, while Polyisocyanurate is a thermoset foam.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics are based on linear or slightly branched (non-cross linked) polymers. These foams have a definite melting range and will soften and melt at elevated temperatures. They are also more prone to react and degrade when in contact with some organic solvents as found in some paints, adhesives, and fuels.

Therefore it is important to only use manufacturer approved compatible materials when using thermoplastic foams.

Of the thermoplastic foams, EPS and XPS are the most common used in the industry. Both products are based on polystyrene resin and are considered to be closed cell.

The manufacturing of EPS involves the expanding of polystyrene beads to fill a mold. The densities of EPS foam can be varied if desired. Increased density results in increased thermal resistance and compressive strength. The density of the product also affects the vapor transmission. While EPS is a closed cell foam (slow water vapor and air transmission through the cell walls), the gaps between the cells will still allow for moisture to pass through the matrix. With increased density, these spaces are reduced and the ability of the foam to allow water transmission is reduced.

XPS foams are formed by mixing molten polystyrene with a blowing agent at the correct time, at an elevated temperature, and at an elevated pressure and then extruding the foam through a die to the atmosphere. This creates a more regular cell structure providing for better strength properties and higher water resistance that EPS foams. The density of XPS foams can also be varied, allowing for increased compressive strength, however due to the more regular cell structure, this has little to no effect on the vapor transmission properties.

Thermosets

Thermoset plastics are based on cross linked polymers. This will allow thermoset plastics to be used for higher temperature applications as they do not usually exhibit a melting range and will instead char and burn. Thermoset foams are also generally more resistant to solvents and chemicals.

The most common thermoset foam on the market is polyisocyanurate. While traditional polyurethane foams were created by reacting isocyanate with polyol (and other blowing agents, catalysts, and surfactants) polyisocyanurate foams can theoretically be created with no polyol, using only isocyanate reacting with itself (and other blowing agents, catalysts, and surfactants). In general though, commercial polyisocyanurate foam used in the market is really polyurethane foam modified with polyisocyanurate or a “blend” of the two foams. The use of the blend increases the fire resistance while maintaining the thermal resistance and strength of the material.

Polyisocyanurate Burn Video:

Additional Information:

Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing Comparison of Fire Performance Link:

http://fsc.americanchemistry.com/Exterior-Walls/Continuous-Insulation-Educational-Presentation.pdf

ANSI/SBCA FS 100 – 2012

Many spectacular fires have occurred in foam systems applied to buildings, including the 2009

Monte Carlo fire in Las Vegas, the Borgata Water Club fire in Atlantic City in 2007, and the

Mandarin Oriental Hotel fire in Beijing in 2009.

With this recent code change with can only expect more fires invovling foam insulation. Please pass this information on and Stay Safe!

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on November 7, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, eco-friendly products, FS 100-2012: Standard Requirements for Wind Pressure Resistance and Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing, Green, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, International Green Construction Code, Polyisocyanurate, Rigid Foam Insluation, Rigid Foam Insulation and the Fire Service, Sustainable, Thermoplastics, Thermosets

New NIST Laboratory to test Net-Zero Home

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The following information was released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

NIST Unveils Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility to Improve Testing of Energy-Efficient Technologies

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, the U.S. Commerce Departments National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) unveiled a new laboratory designed to demonstrate that a typical-looking suburban home for a family of four can generate as much energy as it uses in a year. Following an initial year-long experiment, the facility will be used to improve test methods for energy-efficient technologies and develop cost-effective design standards for energy-efficient homes that could reduce overall energy consumption and harmful pollution, and save families money on their monthly utility bills.

The unique facility looks and behaves like an actual house, and has been built to U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum standard the highest standard for sustainable structures. The two-story, four-bedroom, three-bath Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility incorporates energy-efficient construction and appliances, as well as energy-generating technologies such as solar water heating and solar photovoltaic systems.

Results from this lab will show if net-zero home design and technologies are ready for a neighborhood near you, said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick Gallagher. It will also allow development of new design standards and test methods for emerging energy-efficient technologies and, we hope, speed their adoption.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included green technologies among its priorities, the facility was built almost entirely with U.S.-made materials and equipment. Through its Building America effort, the Department of Energy (DOE) provided architectural design, training and management support for this project. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan represented DOE during the ribbon-cutting.

For the first year of its operation, the lab will be used to demonstrate net-zero energy usage. NIST researchers will use computer software and mechanical controls to simulate the activities of a family of four living in an energy-efficient home. No actual humans will be allowed to enter the house during this time so that researchers can monitor how the house performs, but lights will turn on and off at specified times, hot water and appliances will run and small devices will emit heat and humidity just as people would.

A solar photovoltaic system will generate electricity to power lights and appliances when weather permits, and excess energy will be sent back to the local utility grid by means of a smart electric meter. The house will draw energy from the grid on days it cannot generate enough on its own, but over the course of a year it will produce enough to make up for that purchased energy, for a net-zero energy usage.

During the ceremony, Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council, announced that the Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility has earned a LEED Platinum rating.

NIST researchers plan to make data from the net-zero experiment available online so that researchers and the public can follow its progress. Visit http://www.nist.gov/el/nzertf/ for images, video and more details on the new laboratory.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov.

Posted by John Shafer on September 20, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Firefighter Safety, Green, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, Net-Zero Home, NIST, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, solar panels

Cold Formed Steel

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Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) is the common term for products made by rolling or pressing thin gauges of sheet steel into goods. Cold-formed steel goods are created by the working of sheet steel using stamping, rolling, or presses to deform the sheet into a usable product. Cold worked steel products are commonly used in all areas of manufacturing of durable goods like appliances or automobiles but the phrase cold form steel is most prevalently used to described construction materials. The use of cold-formed steel construction materials has become more and more popular since its initial introduction of codified standards in 1946. In the construction industry both structural and non-structural elements are created from thin gauges of sheet steel. These building materials encompass columns, beams, joists, studs, floor decking, built-up sections and other components. Cold-formed steel construction materials differ from other steel construction materials known as hot-rolled steel. The manufacturing of cold-formed steel products occurs at room temperature using rolling or pressing. The strength of elements used for design is usually governed by buckling. The construction practices are more similar to timber framing using screws to assemble stud frames.

Cold-Formed Steel Framing

Cold-formed steel framing (CFSF) refers specifically to members in light-frame building construction that are made entirely of sheet steel, formed to various shapes at ambient temperatures. The most common shape for CFSF members is a lipped channel, although “Z”, “C”, tubular, “hat” and other shapes and variations have been used. The building elements that are most often framed with cold-formed steel are floors, roofs, and walls, although other building elements and both structural and decorative assemblies may be steel framed.

Although cold-formed steel is used for several products in building construction, framing products are different in that they are typically used for wall studs, floor joists, rafters, and truss members. Examples of Cold-Formed Steel that would not be considered framing includes metal roofing, roof and floor deck, composite deck, metal siding, and purlins and girts on metal buildings.

Framing members are typically spaced at 16 or 24 inches on center, with spacing variations lower and higher depending upon the loads and coverings. Wall members are typically vertical lipped channel “stud” members, which fit into unlipped channel “track” sections at the top and bottom. Similar configurations are used for both floor joist and rafter assemblies, but in a horizontal application for floors, and a horizontal or sloped application for roof framing. Additional elements of the framing system include fasteners and connectors, braces and bracing, clips and connectors.

In North America, member types have been divided into five major categories, and product nomenclature is based on those categories.

S members are lipped channels, most often used for wall studs, floor joists, and ceiling or roof rafters.
T members are unlipped channels, which are used for top and bottom plates (tracks) in walls, and rim joists in floor systems. Tracks also form the heads and sills of windows, and typically cap the top and bottom of boxed- or back-to-back headers.
U members are unlipped channels that have a smaller depth than tracks, but are used to brace members, as well as for ceiling support systems.
F members are “furring” or “hat” channels, typically used horizontally on walls or ceilings.
L members are angles, which in some cases can be used for headers across openings, to distribute loads to the adjacent jamb studs.

In high-rise commercial and multi-family residential construction, CFSF is typically used for interior partitions and support of exterior walls and cladding. In many mid-rise and low-rise applications, the entire structural system can be framed with CFSF.

CFS/Green Buildings

Steel is one of the most sustainable building materials in the world. The industry has embraced the common sense approach that reducing its impact on the environment is not only the right thing to do, but it makes economic sense.

Since the early 1990s, the steel industry has reduced its energy use to produce a ton of steel by approximately 1/3.
More than 95% of the water used in the steel making process is recycled and returned – often cleaner than when it was taken from the source.
Every piece of steel used in construction contains recycled content. Further, all steel can be recovered and recycled again and again into new high quality products.
Steel is durable, safe, and strong. It is not susceptible to rot, termites, or mold. Steel used for framing will last from hundreds to over a thousand years due to its zinc coating, a natural element. Steel structures require less material (both reduced weight and reduced volume) to carry the same loads as concrete or masonry or wood structures.
Steel is dimensionally stable: it will not warp, split, or creep – making it durable and built to last. Don’t waste time and dollars on costly call backs. Minimize cracking and pops in drywall and other finishes with CFS framing.

Steel and Green Building Codes and Standards

As more and more green codes and standards begin to make their way into adoption, cold-formed steel (CFS) is well positioned to help your project meet the highest sustainability standards. Steel is recognized in all major green building standards and rating programs, including the National Green Building Standard (ICC-700) for residential buildings, ASHRAE Standard 189.1 for commercial construction, and the US Green Building Council’s LEED program that covers all types of buildings. How is this possible? More than 82 million tons of steel were recycled in the US in 2008 – more than aluminum, glass and paper combined. That steel goes back into new studs, joists, and other members used in buildings. In fact, steel is the only material with an automatic minimum default value for recycled content in the LEED program. Further, most green codes and standards recognize the excellent potential of CFS at reducing the amount of construction waste generated at a site. Most of this is due to the almost universal use of pre-engineered and assembled panels to build steel assemblies using modern, efficient technology. For example, of all the waste from a 2000 sq. ft. residence framed with steel, less than 2 % of steel is left over and can be recycled compared to that same house built of wood generating 20% of waste that will be sent to landfill.

Introduction to CFS pdf:

Additional Information & Original Link:

http://engineer-cec.com/index.php?sn=327

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_formed_steel

http://www.steelframing.org/sustainability.html

http://www.steelframing.org/aboutsteelframing.html

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on August 18, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Cold Form Steel, Firefighter Safety, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, LEED, Steel Framing

Green Construction & Building a Brighter Future

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Before I share a special guest article.I would like to invite everyone to join me this Friday at Firehouse Expo @Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD

I am very excited and honored to be teaching this year.

Green Building Construction For The Fire Service

7/20/2012 12:00:00 PM Room 343

Description:

This presentation will examine various green buildings and methods and exotic materials that are used to achieve green standards and the potential hazards that they present to fire service personnel. Many of these materials are not common knowledge to most fire service personnel due to past and current teaching practices that only address traditional building construction for the fire service. This ground-breaking and informative program will utilize extensive multimedia materials to reinforce course content and subject areas.

Here a slide from the program that we will discuss and also use it to think about as you read the wonderful article below.

I would like to thank Noelle Hirsch for contacting me and asking me if I would share this wonderful article. Please enjoy and all credit is due to Noelle on this one.

LEED Construction: Building a Brighter Future

Introduction

When many people think about carbon emissions, they assume that cars and other motorized vehicles are the main culprits. However, building construction uses 30 percent of all raw materials consumed in this country and 12 percent of all available potable water – 15 trillion gallons each year. This level of water consumption is ultimately unsustainable, given that the United Nations World Water Development Report 3, issued in 2009, states that one-third of the world’s population already lacks access to clean water. The report projects that at the present rate of consumption, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025.

Buildings continue to be environmentally demanding after construction has been completed. Buildings and the built environment account for 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and 30 percent of all waste products – some 136 million tons annually. As a major contributing factor to climate change, greenhouse gases have had a detrimental effect on the health of the planet, including rapid and perhaps irreversible melting of Arctic polar sea ice.

Green Building Benefits

Green construction can reverse much of the detrimental environmental impact of conventional construction methods. Along with environmental gains, eco-conscious construction can enhance the bottom line of individual companies and of the overall American and world economies. The USGBC reports that increased efficiency in construction and building maintenance would eliminate 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions each year – while saving the U.S. economy $130 billion.

Providing aesthetic benefit for observers of nearby taller buildings as well as natural habitat enclaves, green roofs and rooftop gardens can mitigate air temperature inside the building, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. Their presence also helps to reverse the heat island effect caused by massive amounts of concrete present in a typical urban area. The soil in a rooftop garden also absorbs a significant portion of rainfall, thereby diverting rainwater from storm sewers. At the same time, a dry green roof adds only 17 pounds per square foot to a roof’s load; a wet green roof adds 30 pounds per square foot. Rooftop gardens are more demanding, adding up to 100 pounds per square foot to a roof’s load.

Green construction also improves the health of individuals who live and work inside buildings. LEED standards for green construction call for the elimination of formaldehyde and other building materials that emit volatile organic compounds, also called VOCs, which contribute to “sick building syndrome.” Employing green building construction and maintenance standards for natural light and temperature control also improve worker efficiency and reaction times.

Many municipalities and states, as well as the United States federal government have provided financial incentives to encourage green construction and retrofits, including expedited permit approvals, tax abatements and technical assistance. These financial incentives apply to new construction and to retrofits, and not only reduce upfront construction costs, but present a selling point for would-be developers, buyers and tenants.

LEED and Green Construction

In the United States, the dominant standard for measuring environmental features is LEED, an acronym that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED standards, developed by the United States Green Building Council, can be applied to new construction, and to buildings that are already standing. LEED standards are designed to measure and evaluate the environmental consciousness of construction, general maintenance, landscaping and climate control. Different LEED standards apply to commercial buildings, residential buildings, even entire neighborhoods.

Buildings that meet LEED standards for green construction apply sustainability methods to several phases of construction, including the building shell, climate control inside the building, water usage, landscaping, sourcing of building materials and disposal of construction wastes. There are presently five levels of LEED certification for green construction: certified, bronze, silver, gold and platinum. As of 2012, LEED Platinum structures exist in 25 countries worldwide. The United States has 950 LEED Platinum projects; India is second with 35 LEED Platinum projects.

The worldwide financial crisis has slowed or halted construction to all-time low levels. Nonetheless, green construction of non-residential structures has maintained, or even gained, in market share. In fact, green construction presently accounts for one-third of all non-residential design and construction projects and will account for more than half of all non-residential construction within five years. Green construction is expected to generate 8 million construction-related jobs by 2013.

Growth in green construction is not limited to new projects. In fact, as of December 2011, existing LEED-certified building space exceeded new LEED-certified construction by 15 million square feet. A significant number of green retrofits are devoted to architectural icons such as the Empire State Building, which recently gained LEED Gold status through its retrofit project. The renovation is projected to cut energy use by nearly 40 percent, which translates to annual savings of $4.4 million per year – and a payback of renovation costs in only three years.

Another green retrofit is in progress for the Sears Tower, recently renamed the Willis Tower. Once the tallest building in the world, this Modernist icon still stands as the tallest building on the North American continent. Beginning in 2009, the process of “greening” the tower has focused on retrofitting various features of the structure, with impressive results. For example, installing low-flow toilets and faucets conserves more than 10,000,000 gallons of water each year. Shading the building’s windows significantly reduces heating and cooling requirements.

Eventual plans include a complete overhaul of the electrical system to reduce energy consumption by 80 percent. Replacing 16,000 single-paned windows and constructing a thermal bank would save 50 percent on heating energy. A proposed 500-room “green” luxury hotel would be powered entirely by the tower’s energy system and would pursue LEED Gold status. Besides the projected sustainability gains and energy savings, the five-year project would create as many as 3,600 jobs, according to developers.

Green Construction Resources:

LEED Certification in America and Worldwide

Twenty-one countries participate in the LEED International program: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Finland, South Korea, India, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, France and the United Arab Emirates. The United Kingdom launched an equivalent to LEED, known as the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEM), in 1990.

An even more stringent standard is the Living Building Challenge, granted by the International Living Future Institute. As of 2012, four construction projects had earned this certification: the Tyson Living Learning Center in Eureka, Missouri; the Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, New York (also LEED Platinum); the Eco-Sense home in Victoria, British Columbia and is the Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab in Kamuela, Hawaii (also LEED Platinum).

In March 2012, the International Code Council released the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC), a cooperative effort between the American Institute of Architects and ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials), which cosponsored the project with the support of ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers), the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society. The IgCC is the first sustainability measurement that addresses the entire life cycle of a building, from design and construction to occupancy – and beyond. The IgCC is intended to provide a compliment rather than a replacement for LEED as an environmental building certification standard.

Hope you have enjoyed this article and it has shed some light on the fact that Green Construction is here to stay and isn’t just a fad so firefighters better learn about it now instead of 2am when you have a JOB in one.

See you all in Baltimore!

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on July 16, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Daylighting, eco-friendly products, Firefighter Safety, Firehouse Expo 2012, Green, Green Building, Green Building Design, Green Building Fire Hazards, Green Buildings, Green Buildings Fire Behavior, green homes, Green Maltese, Green Roofs, greenmaltese.com, International Green Construction Code, John Shafer, LEED, LEED Platinum, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, Recycled Materials, solar panels, Sustainable, US Green Building Council

WHAT ARE SIPs?

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SIPs is an acronym for Structural Insulated Panel. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are a high performance building system for residential and light commercial construction. The panels consist of an insulating rigid foam core sandwiched between two structural facings, typically oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and can be fabricated to fit nearly any building design. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy efficient and cost effective.

Types of SIPs

There are three main types of SIPs, although the SIPs themselves can be encased in different outer materials called skins. The inner insulation core is usually made from expandable polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. Each delivers a strong, light building material with exceptional insulation properties.

Types of SIP skins

Most SIPs feature OSB as the skins that encompass the inner foam insulation core of the

panel. But other skins are available, including:

• Metal

• Fiber cement

• Fiber reinforced concrete

• Plywood

• Gypsum board

The third component in SIPs is the spline or connector piece between SIP panels. Dimensional lumber is commonly used but creates thermal bridging and lowers insulation values. To maintain higher insulation values through the spline, manufacturers use Insulated Lumber, Composite Splines, Mechanical Locks, Overlapping OSB Panels, or other creative methods. Depending on the method selected, other advantages such as full nailing surfaces or increased structural strength may become available.

SIPs share the same structural properties as an I-beam or I-column. The rigid insulation core of the SIP acts as a web, while the OSB sheathing exhibits the same properties as the flanges. SIPs combine several components of conventional building, such as studs and joists, insulation, vapor barrier and air barrier. They can be used for many different applications, such as exterior wall, roof, floor and foundation systems.

SIPs are GREEN

Structural insulated panels (SIPs)are one of the most airtight and well insulated building systems available, making them an inherently green product. An airtight SIP building will use less energy to heat and cool, allow for better control over indoor environmental conditions, and reduce construction waste.

Why you will see SIPs more than ever before!

Firefighting Concerns:

As you have saw from the information above there are several types of SIPs and many types of skins however as mentioned before the most common is Oriented Strand Board (OSB) as the skin and the core made of Expanded Polystyrene Foam. So I am going to focus on concerns with those two materials.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

This material begins to break down at relatively low temperatures for fire conditions (about 450 F – same as sawn wood) and it is now a major structural component and not just a covering.

The adhesives used in OSB can vary by manufacturer. It appears that the wood components will burn before the adhesives in most cases. The wood will start to burn at about 450 F and the adhesives around 750 F. The manufactures state that the OSB will behave like sawn wood in a fire, which may be true, but it is the thickness (mass) that then becomes the problem, as OSB is usually no more than ¾” thick and usually less.

Although the manufactures state that the products of combustion are no worse than natural wood, some of the materials in the adhesives may be extremely toxic, corrosive, or carcinogens.

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

When heated it melts!
Expanded Polystyrene is combustible.
It should not be exposed to flame or other ignition sources
Flash Point: 600°°F to 650°F
Auto-ignition Temperature: 824F – 914°F
Fire and Explosion Hazards: WILL MELT WHEN EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES OF 300F TO 500F
Extinguishing Media: DRY CHEMICAL (ABC TYPES), CO2, WATER SPRAY, WATER FOG, FOAM, WATER
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Pentane vapors may be emitted from freshly expanded or processed foam or when product is heated. Hazardous concentrations may accumulate inside a sealed container or within confined areas. If ignited, there may be a very high rate of flame propagation and/or an associated explosion.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Burning foam emits a dense, black, irritating smoke with acid gases. Primary combustion products are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and styrene.
Special Firefighting Procedures: SCBA & Full PPE

Click the links below to watch a crude parking lot burn test:

sip burn at fishers

http://youtu.be/1ooQEBPQBnw

Hopefully you have learned something from this post? If so please share it with every firefighter you know.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on June 26, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Firefighter Safety, Green, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, OSB, SIP firefighting concerns, SIPs are GREEN, Structural Insulated Panel, Structural Insulated Panel and firefighting, Sustainable, Tactics

The Greenest College Campuses

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Compiled By: Online Colleges Guide

Posted by John Shafer on June 23, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, LEED, Sustainable

Ventilation Crew vs Goats

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I would love to hear the roof report from the crew who found this condition on the roof! LOL

Goats feed on oat grass on the roof at Siegel 's Cottonwood Farm in Crest Hill, IL on Thursday May 24, 2012. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Green Maltese had the privilege to teach about many hazards associated with Modern Roofs at FDIC 2012. We discussed Green Roofs and many challenges they present. However this is one surprise we didn’t cover and might just be the best ones yet.

Going green, with goats:

Original article link

Which firefighter is going to the roof to vent?

Tool selection was the discussion for this slide. Maybe I should update it with the firefighter taking a bucket of grain to the next vent job LOL

Never know what you might find on your next JOB!

Be Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on June 4, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, FDIC 2012, Firefighter and Goats, Firefighter Safety, Going Green with Goats, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, Green Roof challeges for fire service, Green Roofs, greenmaltese.com, Hazards of Modern Roofs, John Shafer, Roof Report, ventilation, vertical ventilation, Vertical Ventilation surprise

Solar Glass

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What is Energy Glass?

ENERGYGLASS™ is the only Optically Clear Building Integrated Photovoltaic Window System in the World.

ENERGYGLASS™ is a patented Optically Clear Vertical Building Photovoltaic Window System that produces continuous Energy from Sunlight, Diffused, Ambient Light and Ground Reflectance and the only 100% FIELD of VISION in the world. The entire surface of the windows is clear – No grids, dots or lines! This proprietary Inorganic Nano Technology and Solar Collector does not degrade from IR like typical solar cells, do.

ENERGYGLASS™ produces 1-2 watts per sq. ft. per hour for 10-12 hours during the day and 4-5 watts at peak dependent on location. Energy generated can be inverted back to the grid, battery back up or direct to DC equipment! This means a FEED In Tariff opportunity could be available, thus generating revenue from your windows and/or reducing your building’s energy consumption.

How does it work?

EnergyGlass™ is a patented transparent glass system that collects and produces energy from any light source and can be simply integrated into building window designs to produce electricity.

The EnergyGlass™ system continually collects and creates electricity from sunlight, diffused light and artificial light.

DC electricity produced from EnergyGlass™ can be inverted and returned to the grid and / or charge batteries and / or be wired direct to DC electronics. and offers a value added solution for power independence from the main electrical.

Additional information:

http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/arts-and-culture/solar-glass-makes-its-debut.aspx

Just wanted to inform you of another hazard we are faced with in modern green construction.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on May 8, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, Daylighting, eco-friendly products, firefighter hazards in modern construction, Firefighter Safety, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Construction hazards, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, PV Glass, Solar, Solar Energy, Solar Glass, Sustainable

NFPA & Green Builder® Media to partner at VISION House®

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has partnered with Green Builder® Media, North America’s leading media company focused on sustainable living to participate in the VISION House® located in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. The innovative exhibitis set to present green living ideas in a fun and informative manner that will empower guests with the knowledge that a sustainable future is possible.

NFPA will showcase home fire sprinklers as an important addition to the home. “Through this partnership with Green Builder® Media, we hope to educate visitors on the key environmental benefits of sprinklers,” said Jim Shannon, NFPA president. According to findings of a groundbreaking study, greenhouse gases released by burning buildings can be reduced by 98 percent when automatic fire sprinklers are installed. The study, conducted for the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, also found that automatic sprinklers:

Reduce fire damage up to 97 percent
Reduce water usage to fight a home fire by upwards of 90 percent
Reduce the amount of water pollution released in the environment

The VISION House® in INNOVENTIONS is inspired by Green Builder Media’s VISION House demonstration home series and will open Earth Day, April 22nd. Guests visiting the house will explore the major themes of green building, including whole-home automation, energy generation and efficiency, water conservation, indoor environment quality and high-performance materials and durability.

As guests tour the home, they will encounter intelligent products and advanced technologies, such as:

Fire sprinkler information from the National Fire Protection Association
High efficiency heating and cooling systems and controls and innovative whole-home automation system and door hardware by Ingersoll Rand
Electronic vehicle charging station by SIEMENS
Chevy Volt electric vehicle by GM
Photovoltaic solar panels from Hanwha Solar
Durable and environmentally friendly exterior systems, including smog-eating tile roofs, cultured stone, bricks, permeable pavers, and trim by Boral
Ventilation solutions by Panasonic
Energy efficient windows and doors from Pella
High performance appliance glass products by Schott
Sustainable hardwood flooring and cabinets from Armstrong World Industries
Water-conserving fixtures, faucets, showerheads, and home standby generators by KOHLER
ENERGY STAR certified home appliances by Bosch
LED lighting solutions by SYLVANIA

For more information about sustainable living and the VISION House® in INNOVENTIONS, visit www.visionhousegreen.com. For more information about home fire sprinklers, visit www.nfpa.org/sprinklers.

Original link with full story:

http://www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=56426&cookie%5Ftest=1

Posted by John Shafer on April 22, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, eco-friendly products, Green, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, John Shafer, NFPA, sprinkler systems

New codes help firefighters fight a fire in Southeast Portland home equipped with solar panels

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Picture is from http://www.housesolarenergy.net/

Portland Fire RescueFirefighters knocked down a fire in a house with solar panels — which can’t be turned off — in less than 30 minutes. The panels were installed based on a new code written for just such a situation.Firefighters knocked down a fire in a Southeast Portland home this morning, maneuvering around solar panels that pose a threat of electrocution.

The operation went smoothly, with the fire brought under control in less than 30 minutes thanks to the solar panel installation, said Paul Corah, spokesman for Portland Fire Rescue.

The panels were placed in accordance with a new Oregon building code that went into effect last year, requiring installers to leave space on the sides of panels and on the top of the roof to give firefighters room to put their ladders and cut out sections as needed to let heat escape.

Corah said the fire was the first time the new code was tested — and it worked.

If the panels had covered the roof, firefighters would not have been able to break it open: Solar panels cannot be turned off like other electrical sources. The fire would not have been able to vent and that would have made it worse, Corah said. As it was, the fire caused about $70,000 worth of damage.

Original article link:

http://www.housesolarenergy.net/firefighters-snuff-fire-in-southeast-portland-home-equipped-with-solar-panels

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on April 10, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, Firefighter Safety, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Hazards of Modern Roofs, John Shafer, New codes, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, Portland Fire Department, Solar, Solar Energy, solar panels, ventilation, vertical ventilation

Trombe Walls

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Since ancient times, people have used thick walls of adobe or stone to trap the sun’s heat

during the day and release it slowly and evenly at night to heat their buildings. Today’s

low-energy(green) buildings often improve on this ancient technique by incorporating a thermal

storage and delivery system called a Trombe wall. Named after French inventor Felix

Trombe in the late 1950s, the Trombe wall continues to serve as an effective feature of

passive solar design.

A Trombe wall has masonry or concrete on the inside that is painted black on the exterior face, an air space, and glass on the exterior of the home. The completed walls look like windows with black shades. Photos: Joe McGovern, Living Designs Group

Trombe Wall Design and Construction:

A typical unvented Trombe wall consists of a 4- to 16-in (10- to 41-cm)-thick, southfacing masonry wall with a dark, heat-absorbing material on the exterior surface and faced with a single or double layer of glass. The glass is placed from ¾ to 2 in. (2 to 5 cm) from the masonry wall to create a small airspace. Heat from sunlight passing through the glass is absorbed by the dark surface, stored in the wall, and conducted slowly inward through the masonry. High transmission glass maximizes solar gains to the masonry wall. As an architectural detail, patterned glass can limit the exterior visibility of the dark concrete wall without sacrificing transmissivity.

Do It Yourself Trombe Wall:

Just another feature in green construction that may look normal. However these windows could not be used for ventilation or access for RIT.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on February 17, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, Firefighter Safety, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, passive solar home, RIT hazard, Sustainable, Trombe wall

Free Green Building Codes 101 Webinar

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Green Building Codes 101: Navigating the Standards, Codes, and Rating Systems.

This webinar addresses many of the questions about the relationships between green standards, codes, and rating systems. This webinar was developed collaboratively by ICC, USGBC, ASHRAE and AIA.

Link:

http://media.iccsafe.org/IGCC/GreenBuildingCodes101-flash/Green%20Building%20Codes%20101/player.html

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on January 25, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, Green Building Codes, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, International Green Construction Code, John Shafer, Sustainable

Fire Development in Modern Buildings

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When was the last time you had a fire behavior class?

If you were honest it has probably been several years and most likely half of the class slept or paid very little attention because most firefighters like hands on drills were they can tear up stuff.

Those that have done fire behavior training recently what materials did you use? Because there has been major changes to fire development in the modern fire environment and most text books have not caught up.

Hopefully this post will help bring a lot of new material from UL , NIST and many other places together in a post that firefighters can use to train their next shift.

Fire Dynamics

Fire Dynamics is the study of how chemistry, fire science, material science and the mechanical engineering disciplines of fluid mechanics and heat transfer interact to influence fire behavior. In other words, Fire Dynamics is the study of how fires start, spread and develop. But what exactly is a fire?

Defining Fire

Fire can be described in many ways – here are a few:

NFPA 921: “A rapid oxidation process, which is a chemical reaction resulting in the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities.”
Webster’s Dictionary: “A fire is an exothermic chemical reaction that emits heat and light”

Fire can also be explained in terms of the Fire Tetrahedron – a geometric representation of what is required for fire to exist, namely, fuel, an oxidizing agent, heat, and an uninhibited chemical reaction.

Measuring Fire

Heat Energy is a form of energy characterized by vibration of molecules and capable of initiating and supporting chemical changes and changes of state (NFPA 921). Heat energy is measured in units of Joules (J), however it can also be measured in Calories (1 Calorie = 4.184 J) and BTU’s (1 BTU = 1055 J).

Temperature is a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material compared to a reference point. Temperature is measured in degrees Fahrenheit (melting point of ice = 32 º F, boiling point of water = 212 º F) or degrees Celsius (melting point of ice = 0 º C, boiling point of water = 100 º C).

º F	Response
98.6	Normal human oral/body temperature
111	Human skin begins to feel pain
131	Human skin receives a second degree burn injury
162	Human skin is instantly destroyed
212	Water boils and produces steam
284	Glass transition temperature of polycarbonate
446	Melting temperature of polycarbonate(Mask)
>572	Charring of modern protective clothing fabrics begins
>1112	Temperatures inside a post-flashover room fire

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer is a major factor in the ignition, growth, spread, decay and extinction of a fire. It is important to note that heat is always transferred from the hotter object to the cooler object - heat energy transferred to and object increases the object’s temperature, and heat energy transferred from and object decreases the object’s temperature.

CONDUCTION

Conduction is heat transfer within solids or between contacting solids.

courtesy of NIST

CONVECTION

Convection is heat transfer by the movement of liquids or gasses.

courtesy of NIST (convection on firefighter)

RADIATION

Radiation is heat transfer by electromagnetic waves.

courtesy of NIST (Radiation on the firefighter)

Fire Phenomena

Fire Development is a function of many factors including: fuel properties, fuel quantity, ventilation (natural or mechanical), compartment geometry (volume and ceiling height), location of fire, and ambient conditions (temperature, wind, etc).

Traditional Fire Development The Traditional Fire Development curve shows the time history of a fuel limited fire. In other words, the fire growth is not limited by a lack of oxygen. As more fuel becomes involved in the fire, the energy level continues to increase until all of the fuel available is burning (fully developed). Then as the fuel is burned away, the energy level begins to decay. The key is that oxygen is available to mix with the heated gases (fuel) to enable the completion of the fire triangle and the generation of energy.

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhjuvI1c2oE&list=PLCDE5594A65DF3034&index=18&feature=plpp_video

Fire Behavior in a Structure The Fire Behavior in a Structure curve demonstrates the time history of a ventilation limited fire. In this case the fire starts in a structure which has the doors and windows closed. Early in the fire growth stage there is adequate oxygen to mix with the heated gases, which results in flaming combustion. As the oxygen level within the structure is depleted, the fire decays, the heat release from the fire decreases and as a result the temperature decreases. When a vent is opened, such as when the fire department enters a door, oxygen is introduced. The oxygen mixes with the heated gases in the structure and the energy level begins to increase. This change in ventilation can result in a rapid increase in fire growth potentially leading to a flashover (fully developed compartment fire) condition.

Changes in Today’s fires:

Modern Building Construction ₊More Plastics = Extreme Fire Behavior

Did you notice that fire development has changed? There is early decay now! We as firefighters need to share this with all firefighters especially ones that havn’t been to fire behavior class in some time.

Energy Efficient Modern Building Construction:

Effective Insulation

Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures consistent temperatures with less energy use. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.

High Performance Windows

Energy-efficient windows use advanced technologies to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. They also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

Tight Construction and Ducts Homebuilders Making a Difference:

Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in a home’s “envelope” and in heating and cooling ducts help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while lowering utility and maintenance costs.

The tactical considerations include:

Stages of fire development:The stages of fire development change when a fire becomes ventilation limited.
- It is common with today’s fire environment to have a decay period prior to flashover which emphasizes the importance of ventilation
Forcing the front door is ventilation: Forcing entry has to be thought of as ventilation as well.
- While forcing entry is necessary to fight the fire it must also trigger the thought that air is being fed to the fire and the clock is ticking before either the fire gets extinguished or it grows until an untenable condition exists jeopardizing the safety of everyone in the structure.
No smoke showing:A common event during the experiments was that once the fire became ventilation limited the smoke being forced out of the gaps of the houses greatly diminished or stopped all together.
- No some showing during size-up should increase awareness of the potential conditions inside.
Coordination: If you add air to the fire and don’t apply water in the appropriate time frame the fire gets larger and safety decreases.
DON’T FORCE DOOR UNTILL YOU HAVE A CHARGED HOSELINE IN PLACE!

For more information:

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/buildingmaterials/fire/fireservice/ventilation/

http://www.nist.gov/fire/fire_behavior.cfm

http://cfbt-us.com/index.html

http://buildingsonfire.com/

Stay Safe and please train on the new changes to fire development. It may save your life.

Thanks

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on January 8, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Changes in Today’s fires, Conduction, Convection, Defining Fire, Effective Insulation, Energy Efficient Construction, Fire Dynamics, Fire Tetrahedron, Firefighter Safety, Flashover, Green Buildings, Green Buildings Fire Behavior, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Heat Energy, High Performance Windows, John Shafer, Modern Fire Behavior, New Fire Development curve, NFPA 921, NIST, Structural Insulated Panels, Tactics, Traditional Fire Development

First National Green Building Code Approved!

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For the first time, the US has a national green building code.

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC), approved last week after two years of development, applies to all new and renovated commercial buildings and residential buildings over three stories high.

The historic code sets mandatory baseline standards for all aspects of building design and construction, including energy and water efficiency, site impacts, building waste, and materials.

Although the final code won’t be published until March 2012, many local and state governments have begun to officially adopt it.

“It represents a change in the standard of construction,” says Jessyca Henderson Director of Sustainability Advocacy at the American Institute of Architects. “It will effect everyone that touches buildings…it will be a big leap.”

How it Differs From LEED

The new code creates a mandatory “floor” – enforceable minimum standards on every aspect of building design and construction that now must be reached.

LEED certification, on the other hand, is voluntary. Although many buildings now strive for it, there are more that don’t. The new code will thus raise the standards for ALL buildings.

Also to qualify for LEED, designers choose from a menu of options. They may choose to address certain aspects of energy efficiency, such as lighting, for example, while leaving others out.

Setting a “floor” through the code, creates the opportunity for LEED-certifications to push toward higher “ceilings,” where buildings are awarded for truly reaching greater levels of performance, rather than receiving awards for what are increasingly expected standards.

Mandatory Requirements:

Site Development, Land Use: it pretty much eliminates development on greenfields (undeveloped land), although there are exceptions based on existing infrastructure. It includes clear guidelines for site disturbance, irrigation, erosion control, transportation, heat island mitigation, graywater systems, habitat protection, and site restoration.

Materials: A minimum of 50% of construction waste must be diverted from landfills, and at least 55% of building materials must be salvaged, recycled-content, recyclable, biobased, or indigenous. Buildings must be designed for at least 60 years of life, and must have a service plan that justifies that.

Energy Efficiency: total efficiency must be “51% of the energy allowable in the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code” (IECC), and building envelope performance must exceed that by 10%. It sets minimum standards for lighting and mechanical systems, and requires certain levels of submetering and demand-response automation.

Water Efficiency: it establishes maximum consumption of fixtures and appliances and sets standards for rainwater storage and graywater systems.

Indoor Air Quality: It addresses radon, asbestos, VOCs, sound transmission, and daylighting.

Commissioning, Operations: it requires extensive pre- and post-occupancy commissioning and education of building owners and maintenance employees.

Every project is also required to choose an additional “elective,” which pushes the envelope for the developer further. Once they choose it, it’s enforceable. There’s a long menu of elective choices, including whole-building life-cycle assessment to more stringent recycled-content.

Local governments and states have the choice of adopting the code, but once they do, it’s enforceable. They can add their own requirements on top of the code that address local concerns such as stormwater management or lighting pollution control.

To help implement the code, IgCC includes a “cookbook” approach for smaller buildings to follow and a more flexible approach for large buildings.

To develop the code, the International Code Council worked with many stakeholders, with the American Institute of Architects, US Green Building Council, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), foremost among them.

Original article link:

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/23142

Green Buildings are not just a fad. I believe this national code will help make green buildings the norm and not just a option.

Firefighters need to start learning about green buildings and green concepts more than ever before. Green Maltese hopes that fire service will use this as a place to learn about how the buildings are changing.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on November 27, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: American Institute of Architects, American Society of Heating, Building Construction, Daylighting, energy efficiency, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Indoor Air Quality, International Code Council, International Green Construction Code, John Shafer, LEED, national green building code, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Sustainable, US Green Building Council, Water Efficiency

First Green LEED Fire Station in Oklahoma

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NORMAN — An open space flooded with light, a sparkly quartz compound countertop in a spacious kitchen, and a family-size wooden table are the first things that greet the firefighters in their second home at Norman fire station No. 8, and it’s green, too.

The station recently received notification that it has received LEED gold certification, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an internationally recognized green building certification system through U.S. Green Building Council.

“We’re the first station in the state of Oklahoma to receive any LEED certification, so we received gold right off the back,” Norman Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said. “Our station 9 will also seek LEED certification.”

Norman Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey talks about the features of Fire Station No. 8 at the grand opening of Wednesday. Transcript Photo by Kyle Phillips

After a public safety sales tax passed in May 2008 to bank the funds for two new fire stations, it was quickly determined by the City of Norman that the new buildings would be built to be energy sufficient.

The City used LEED as a way to verify that the new fire stations would be built using sustainable strategies. Station No. 9, due to begin construction in December on Alameda Street, will be a larger facility but will also seek LEED certification.

The City hired Kirkpatrick Architecture Studio firm from Denton, Texas, to build its green stations based on LEED’s performance categories: site selection and treatment, water efficiency, energy use, materials selected and the indoor environmental quality.

Bailey said the City hired Kirkpatrick Architecture because they had previous experience in building LEED certified fire stations. It was a natural fit, he said, and one that paid off by earning them the second-highest certification level for station No. 8.

The building features a variety of small and large energy efficient features, he said, such as drought resistant landscaping, automatic lighting, motion sensor lighting, solar tube lighting, highly insulated walls, and easy maintenance floors and countertops.

The entire station capitalizes on its resources, with 90 percent of common areas having access to daylight, over 20 percent of construction materials were recycled materials, and 50 percent less domestic water use. Bailey said this 10, 327 sq. ft. station will use 30 percent less energy than another station of the same size.

Built on 105 peers, the foundation has space between it and the soil to allow for soil expansion without affecting the quality of the foundation. Features such as this will allow the station to remain in high quality condition for years to come, Bailey said.

Though the station was built with energy efficiency in mind, it was also designed to appeal to the firefighters who would eventually work there.

“It’s just as easy to make it comfortable as industrial, than why not make it comfortable?,” he said. “I’ve been there, I’ve been in their spot and the more you can make it feel comfortable for them the better their attitudes are going to be.”

Orginal link:

http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x2010690170/Norman-fire-station-earns-new-gold-certification-for-being-green

Posted by John Shafer on November 5, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, First Green LEED Fire Station in Oklahoma, Green Buildings, Green Fire Stations, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, LEED Gold, Norman Oklahoma

Colorado is the First Market for Launch of the Revolutionary DOW POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle

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This post is dedicated to my brother and sister firefighters from Colorado.

Solar shingles are solar panels incognito. Instead of mounting on your roof, they become your roof or integrate seamlessly with the existing roof shingles. In many cases, they can be stapled to the sub-roofing the same as an ordinary shingle. On average, shingles are about 12 inches wide by seven feet long. There are also solar roof tiles that integrate well with mission-style housing common in the sunny Southwest. Solar shingles, like most thin-film BIPV products currently on the market, are less efficient than silicon solar panels. But, again like other Building Integrated Photovoltaic ( BIPV )innovations, are a burgeoning work in progress.

Until now, solar energy’s two challenges have been cost and acceptance. Dow is working to change all that. Dow has been developing BIPV building materials that enable solar energy cells to be incorporated directly into the design of commercial and residential building materials such as roofing systems, exterior sidings, fascias and more.

ARVADA, Colo., Oct 13, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The roof of a home has always
had the critical job of protecting families from the elements. Today, for the
first time, a new commercially-available solar roofing shingle has entered the
U.S. housing market that not only protects from the elements, but uses one of
those elements — sunlight — to turn the typical American home into a dynamic
power generator.

At an event today in Arvada attended by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
and supporters of solar technology, alternative energy, green manufacturing and
the latest innovations in home building, Dow Solar, a division of The Dow
Chemical Company announced that the DOW POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle will now be available to homeowners in Colorado. On October 4, Dow announced that the product would be available in targeted U.S. markets and now Colorado becomes the first state to offer Dow’s revolutionary Solar Shingle.

Co-hosted by D.R. Horton, one of the leading homebuilders in the nation and the first residential production builder to participate with Dow Solar, the event showcased D.R. Horton’s commitment to offer the POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle as a standard feature on 50 new homes in the developer’s Spring Mesa community in Colorado. Each of the remaining homes in Spring Mesa will receive a 3 kilowatt POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar
Shingle roof.

“We are excited that Dow has chosen D.R. Horton’s Spring Mesa community to launch its POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle technology,” said Scott Davis, Division President, D.R. Horton – Colorado. “We believe the addition of solar technology will attract new homebuyers to Spring Mesa who will now have Dow’s innovative Solar Shingles available on one of the most scenic and beautiful communities in the Denver area.”

Why Launch in Colorado?

Dow chose Colorado as the first launch market for the POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle because the state provides the right combination of financial returns and market receptivity to solar.

According to Neal Lurie, Executive Director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA), a number of factors combine to make Colorado the right market for the introduction of an important new solar technology.

“Colorado is a national leader in solar energy innovation and job creation. We have the right combination of public sector support, private sector
commitment, homeowner interest and an enthusiastic community of builders and installers,” Lurie said. “The launch of POWERHOUSE(TM) in Colorado is a significant accomplishment for the state as clean energy once again serves as a catalyst for economic development.”

Working with Homebuilders, Roofing Contractors and Installers in Colorado.

Dow Solar will bring the POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle to Colorado by working with leading homebuilders such as D.R. Horton to create more solar communities, and with POWERHOUSE(TM) Authorized Dealers to grow the solar market in Colorado one rooftop at a time. Expansion throughout Colorado is continuing and other U.S. market will be announced in the coming months.

The DOW POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle

The POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle roofing system protects the home like a standard roofing shingle while providing energy that powers the home and saves the homeowner money.

The three-part solar roofing system package includes an array of shingles, an inverter and an energy monitoring system. The shingles, custom designed to fit the individual homeowners’ budget and energy goals, are arranged to complement the style and form of the home and roofline. The inverter then converts Direct Current (DC) produced from the shingles into Alternating Current (AC), which is then fed to the home’s appliances, or back to the power grid. Finally, a real-time monitoring system provides readouts to homeowners to assess energy usage, production and the amount of excess power flowing back to the grid.

The great look of the integrated POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle solution now serves the needs of homeowners who want to go solar, but dislike the aesthetic of bulky, rack-mounted systems.

Link to orginal article”

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/colorado-is-the-first-market-for-launch-of-the-revolutionary-dow-powerhousetm-solar-shingle-2011-10-13

To learn more about these solar shingles and many other hazards on modern roofs be sure and attend Green Maltese class at FDIC 2012

Hazards Of Modern Roofs:

Presentation Summary

The presentation will include an intense and concentrated examination of trends and methods in modern building construction with an emphasis on roofs, their direct relationship on vertical ventilation, structural firefighting operations, and firefighter survivability.

Inherent roof construction features and hazards that directly influence truck company work will be the main focus of this program.

Program Overview and Pedagogical Approach

The program will address timely issues related to modern roofs and upcoming push to make sustainable buildings.

This presentation will examine various green roofs, methods and exotic materials that are used to achieve green standards, and the potential hazards that they present to fire service personnel. Many of these materials such as recycled rubber shingles, solar panels and green (garden) roofs are not common knowledge to most fire service personnel due to past and current teaching practices that only address traditional building construction for the fire service.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on October 14, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, Colorado, Dow, FDIC 2012, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, Green Roofs, greenmaltese.com, Hazards of Modern Roofs, John Shafer, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle, Solar Energy, solar panels, Sustainable, sustainable buildings, ventilation, Ventilation on modern buildings

Precast Concrete Wall Panels

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Energy-efficient AG Wall Systems from Superior Walls offer a fast way for builders to construct above grade building applications for houses and commercial projects.

Superior Walls®, a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient precast foundation systems, now offers precast concrete wall panels specifically designed for use in above grade applications. The AG™ Wall Systems allow builders to use the panels in stacked applications to create multiple stories of construction.

AG Wall Systems have already been used in numerous projects, including the creation of a high school, a yoga center, shopping centers and a wide variety of homes. Each Superior Walls panel is custom made to the specifications of an individual project, including built-in openings for windows and doors. Pre-engineered access for wiring or small plumbing elements along with smart stud facing for easy drywall installation are included and help speed up the construction process.

“Superior Walls precast concrete wall panels are a fast, efficient way to construct a home or commercial project,” says Jim Costello, president of Superior Walls. “Our AG Wall Systems provide an energy-efficient way to construct an entire building from the ground up.”

Superior Walls introduced AG Wall Systems to bring the strength and energy efficiency typically found in Superior Walls foundation systems to above grade building applications. AG wall systems are pre-engineered at Superior Walls facilities and custom manufactured for the specific needs of a project. The walls are delivered to the job site and installed within hours of arrival.

“A conventional wall structure with block and wood framing can take weeks to create,” says Costello. “When using AG Wall Systems, you can achieve that same framing in just hours on the job site with many energy-efficiency benefits.”

The insulated concrete AG Walls are produced at Superior Walls by Weaver Precast of Florida in a factory-controlled setting in Orlando. The walls are used in above-ground applications and are watertight, termite-resistant and help reduce noise infiltration into the home.

The top-of-the-line Xi wall panels feature steel reinforced concrete and 2-1/2-inches of DOW® Styrofoam™ insulation to create a permanent barrier against sidewall water penetration. The panels are custom designed and constructed in a factory-controlled setting. Unique features of the Xi wall panels include:

5,000+ PSI concrete
Horizontal steel rebar inside top and bottom beams
Vertical steel rebar inside each stud
Steel-reinforced top bond beams, concrete studs and footer beams
Access holes for ease in wiring and plumbing
Galvanized steel stud facing ready for drywall finishing
Insulated corners, studs and bond beams

Superior Walls web site:

http://www.superiorwalls.com/

I just wanted to share another type of construction that you will start to see more of as people become greener and more concerned with being energy efficiency

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on October 13, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, Precast Concrete Wall Panels, Superior walls

Firehouse Podcast on some Green Issues

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Just wanted to share this with you, in case you hadn’t listened yet?

Fire Marshal’s Corner: FM Global Report on Green and Sprinklers and the Dangers with Photovoltaic Units

Ed Comeau and Mike Love look at two perspectives of the impact of fires on the environment on this month’s Fire Marshal’s Corner. They look at the operational and global perspectives.

San Jose Capt. Matt Paiss has been working in the field of photovoltaics for a number of years. He couples that experience with his fireground expertise, to provide listeners with a wealth of information about how to deal with rooftop photovoltaic units which are becoming more prevalent across the country. He has created several training videos (see below) that are great training tools.

We then are joined by Gary Keith who is the chair of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. FM Global recently completed a landmark study on the environmental impact of fires which provides us with the information we need to quantify exactly what is happening to the environment when a fire breaks out. They review a number of sources of resources that are critical to the fire service.

Fire Marshal’s Corner green firehouse may 2010 podcast

Firehouse link:

http://www.firehouse.com/podcast/fire-marshals-corner/fire-marshals-corner-global-report-green-danger-photovoltaic%20

Below are the video’s from Captain Matt Paiss. Please enjoy and share with every firefighter you know. Matt is truly a PV expert!

Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Ed Comeau, firehouse.com, FM Global, Green, Green Buildings, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, John Shafer, Matt Paiss, Mike Love, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, San Jose, Solar Energy, solar panels, sprinkler systems

GO PURDUE!!

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Green Maltese was able to go on another fun educational field trip again!

This field trip was to West Lafayette to Purdue University to visit the Team Purdue IN Home open house.

The INHome is a part of the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

The most unique feature of the INhome is the biowall. The biowall is a home air filtration system that utilizes plants placed in a vertical wall, which remove harmful chemicals that can accumulate in homes that are tightly sealed like the INhome. Air from the home is drawn through the plant wall where the chemicals are removed by the plants and used as a food source. The wall requires very little maintenance and is even designed to water itself. The biowall improves the air quality in the home, saves energy, and provides a calming ambiance by bringing nature inside the home.

Bio Wall

One of the things that I really liked about the home was that it was sprinkled! GO PURDUE !!

Link to INhome:

http://www.purdue.edu/inhome/

Here is a link to 19 of the homes that will be in the Solar Decathlon.

This is a great way for firefighters to get a look at the homes of the future and some of the hazards and issues you will be dealing with in future fires.
http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/08/nineteen-solar-decathlon-home-renderings.html

Below are some of the pictures I took on my trip.

INHome banner

: SIP model

: Sprinkler

: Controls

: Utilities

: Solar controls

: Outside air intake for fresh air system

: Daylighting

: Solar powered golf cart

: Front door view of INHome

Posted by John Shafer on August 27, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: air quality, Biowall, Building Construction, Daylighting, eco-friendly products, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Indiana, John Shafer, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, Purdue University, solar panels, sprinkler systems, Structural Insulated Panels, Sustainable, Team Purdue IN Home, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Gateway Midwest Fire & Leadership Training

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Green Maltese is extremely excited about being a part of the Go Forward inaugural event, October 21-23 at the Ameristar Hotel Resort, Spa & Casino in St. Charles, Missouri.

Education Opportunities from Green Maltese @ Gateway Conference:

Reading the Building: Predictive Occupancy Profiling

Presented by Christopher J. Naum
Chief of Training, Command Institute, DC

And John Shafer
Lieutenant and Training Officer, Greencastle (IN) Fire Department

Today’s buildings and occupancies continue to present unique challenges to command and operating companies during combat structural fire engagement. Building and occupancy profiling, identifying occupancy risk versus occupancy type, emerging construction methods, features, systems and components coupled with the increasing commonality of extreme fire behavior and the increased fire load package require new skill sets in reading the building and implementing predictive occupancy profiling for firefighters, company and command officers. Integral to the presentation will be detailed discussions on building and structural system placarding methods and labeling programs.

When: Sunday, October 22 – 10:15a – Noon

Green Building Construction for the Fire Service

This course offers a concentrated examination of current and future trends and methods in green building construction. Discussion will emphasize green construction building materials, green rating systems, modern building construction methods, risk assessment, engineered structural and construction systems, and their direct relationship on structural firefighting operations, firefighter survivability and the command decision-making process. We will also consider:

Inherent green construction features and hazards that directly influence effective command risk management
Decisive strategic and tactical considerations with a focus on key green construction features and inherent occupancy profiles
The effect of fire dynamics, fire behavior and tactical operations on modern building construction systems

When: Sunday, October 22 – 1:30p – 3:00p

There will be many other excellant classes offered this weekend and you don’t want to miss this!

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on August 21, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Christopher J. Naum, Firefighter Safety, Green, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, Sustainable, Tactics

Roanoke Green Station 3

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I am very excited to post my 1st firehouse that was submited by using the submit a firehouse link.

My hope is that more fire departments that have green fire stations will submit their green fire station information, so other fire deparments that are considering building green will have a place to gather information.

Roanoke Green Station 3

A special thanks to Lt. Rhett Fleitz ( Fire Critic) for this submission.

Roanoke Fire Department

Mission/Vision

This Department exists to protect and preserve the lives and property of residents and visitors of the City of Roanoke from damage or loss due to fire, medical emergencies, environmental hazards and traumatic accidents.

Responsibility

Roanoke Fire-EMS is a full-service fire and emergency medical service agency providing basic and advanced pre-hospital life support, fire prevention and education programs, fire suppression services, arson detection, vehicle extrication, and heavy tactical rescue. We also support a regional hazardous materials team. In addition to housing firefighting and EMS personnel and apparatus, fire-EMS stations are neighborhood resources. Fire-EMS personnel at these sites help distribute important city documents, teach children about fire safety, and provide a safe place for lost children and adults. Six of our stations are official polling places for all city elections.

Station Mascot

Station 3 :

Fire-EMS Station #3 is located at 4803 Williamson Rd..

It houses the Engine and Ambulance previously stationed at the Airport Fire Station. This is a great opportunity to bring emergency vehicles into the community.

Roanoke Fire-EMS has another reason to be proud of this building. It is the City’s first “Green” building. No, we’re not
talking about the color – this will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building in the City of Roanoke, meaning it will be more environmentally friendly. The LEED process gives the Engineering Department a way to measure payback and real value.

The benefits of constructing a “LEED” building are

The building will use resources like energy, water, materials and land more efficiently than a building simply built“to code”. An improved living environment will improve the health, comfort and productivity of those that workin the building. The City will save money by reducing operations and maintenance costs, and by lowering utility bills. Energy and water efficient buildings can reduce operating costs to less than half those of a traditional building. Improved indoor environments can increase employee productivity by up to 16%! And most importantly, to set an example for the community.

Setting an example for the community is very important to the City of Roanoke. With concerns over global warming, state and
federal pressure to cut air pollution and the alarming rise of asthma and allergies in children, we have to increase the competitiveness in quality of life indicators.
By being the first LEED Building built by the City of Roanoke, the Fire-EMS Department is “leading” the way in the education process about the benefits of being environmentally friendly. To schedule a tour, please call the Public Education Office at (540)853-5785.
Link with a great video about this station.

http://www.roanokeva.gov/85256a8d0062af37/vwContentByKey/N27EVHF5438TBRYEN

Station 3 LEED Gold Certification
Roanoke,VA — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized the city’s new Williamson Road Fire Station with “gold” LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This certification was achieved as the result of the facility scoring 39 credits (or points), which are defined and rewarded by the USGBC. To qualify as a basic LEED facility, the project must achieve 26 credits. LEED “silver” certification is achieved at 33 points. “It is a great accomplishment to have the city’s first LEED-certified facility earn the ‘gold’ status for new construction,” says City Manager Darlene Burcham. “This is an excellent demonstration of Roanoke’s strong commitment to
environmental stewardship.” The facility’s new features have the potential toreduce operating and maintenance costs to less than half those of a traditionalbuilding. The sustainable or “green” components in the fire station include:

A Rainwater Harvesting Tank and System—a 10,000-gallon tank buried on site that collects rainwater run-off form the fire station. Thiscollected water is pumped from the tank to water the landscaping, flush toilets, and wash the trucks—greatly reducing the use of potable water. The system piping is not connected in any way to the building potable water system.
A Bio-Retention Pond—an area of the property populated with native plants that provides a “Rain Garden” to collect storm water run-off. The purpose of the pond is to reduce the amount of water flowing directly into the storm drain system and filter impurities from the run-off through layers of subgrade material before it eventually reaches the storm drain.
Shower fixtures that reduce water consumption.
Pervious Concrete Pavement— used in lieu of traditional concrete pavement to allow for surface water run-off to “seep” or filterthrough the pervious concrete. This too reduces the amount of water flowing directly into the storm drain system and filters impurities from the run-off through layers of subgrade material before it eventually reaches the storm drain.
Motion Detector Light Switches—these devices use sensors to turn light fixtures on and off depending on whether a room is occupied orvacant, and reduce the amount of electricity used.
Spray Foam Insulation—used in lieu of traditional batt insulation to provide a more air-tight interior attic space, restricting theamount of cold and hot air entering the building, and thus reducing heating and cooling costs. The spray foam also provides additional noise reduction from operating HVAC units.
Walk-off Floor Mats—these mats are provided at each doorway to reduce the amount of pollutants that enter into the core of the building.They are replaced with clean mats on a weekly basis by a service company.

Points were also earned for the city’s method for disposing of debris such as cardboard, glass, metals, and masonry. These materials were recycled as much as possible utilizing the city’s Solid Waste Management services and local recycling companies. In addition, the city earned points for procuring the majority of the building materials from vendors within 500 miles of the project site who produce their materials locally, thus reducing energy use and resources required to ship and obtain these products. “The building will use resources like energy, water, materials and land more efficiently than a building simply built ‘to code,’” says Roanoke Fire-EMS Chief David Hoback. “And an improved living environment will enhance the health, comfort, and productivity of those that work in the building.”

Pictures:
Pictures are by Rhett Fleitz with the exception of the graphic about the rainwater system. That one is from the City of Roanoke.

rain-water-harvest-system

The-pump-and-filters-for-the-rainwater-non-potable-water-system

wash-our-trucks-with-non-potable-water

Sensor Light Switch

Additional links:

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/148307

http://www.rainwatermanagement.com/CS_Institutional.htm

http://www.heapy.com/portfolio/leed–sustainability-services/180-roanoke-fire-station-.html

http://www.roanokeciviccenter.com/85256A8D0062AF37/CurrentBaseLink/N2794MD4108JCOTEN

http://www.roanokeva.gov/85256A8D0062AF37/vwContentByKey/AF347B332DDF0FD48525786F00475321/$File/Ken_Cronin.pdf

Posted by John Shafer on July 27, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Bio-Retention pond, Fire Critic, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, Green Fire Stations, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, John Shafer, LEED, LEED Gold, Motion Detector Light Switches, Pervious Concrete, Rainwater Harvesting System, Roanoke Va, Spray Foam Insulation

Green Building in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future

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Green Building in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future

The City’s Office of Sustainability, in partnership with WCTY Channel 16, is proud to announce the City’s first green building documentary. The film is titled “Green Building in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future” and is hosted by green living expert Sara Snow. The approximately 54-minute documentary features many of Indianapolis’ green building projects. The film explains the components of green buildings, the strategies used to ensure optimal environmental benefits and cost savings, and the importance of partnerships in the design and construction process. The purpose of the documentary is to inform Indianapolis residents about the concept of green building, highlight the City’s leaders in sustainable building projects, and provide a resource for more detailed information on best practices by featuring The Nature Conservancy’s new Headquarters building. The Efroymson Conservation Center is seeking LEED Platinum certification.

This documentary project began as a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and The Nature Conservancy. In early 2009, as The Nature Conservancy was preparing to break ground on the construction of their new headquarters buildings, the Office of Sustainability approached WCTY Channel 16 and The Nature Conservancy with the idea to video-document the construction process. This idea sparked the interest of The Nature Conservancy and Channel 16 as an opportunity to “tell the story” of green buildings: What is a green building? What are the benefits of a green building, to owners, to occupants, and to the community? What are the costs and how do green buildings compare to traditional buildings? From the earliest concept of the documentary, it was clear that there was an exciting story to tell about Indianapolis’ progress towards encouraging green buildings projects, and the growth of green buildings in our community. As a result, while the film project features specific, case study level information on The Nature Conservancy building, it also features several green building projects that had been completed prior to The Nature Conservancy. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., State of Indiana Forensics and Health Sciences Laboratory, IDO, Inc., HealthNet’s Southwest Clinic, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail are some of the green building projects featured in the documentary.

Posted by John Shafer on July 24, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, eco-friendly products, Green, Green Building in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future, Green Buildings, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Indianapolis, John Shafer, LEED, State of Indiana Forensics and Health Sciences Laboratory, Sustainable, The Nature Conservancy, WCTY Channel 16

Green Building Design Principles Video

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Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on July 14, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: Building Construction, eco-friendly products, Green, Green Building Design, Green Buildings, green homes, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Recycled Materials, Sustainable

Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department New Green Fire Station

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Green Maltese LLC latest adventure!

I am pleased to announce that Chief Larry Tempel Posey Twp. VFD has agreed to allow me to follow and document the building of this new Green fire station.

I think this will be a wonderful educational experience for myself and any fire department that is looking into building green in the future.

Background:

A Clay County fire department is starting construction on a new fire house.

The Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department broke ground on the $1.5 million project. Federal stimulus money is paying for most of it. Posey Township collected donations to cover its portion of a quarter-million dollars.

The new fire house will provide more room for newer fire trucks. It will also have living quarters for the volunteers and be energy efficient.

“Thick insulated walls, it’s going to have solar panels to generate some electricity. It’s going to have solar panels to heat some of the water. We’re going to catch all the rain water and use it for geothermal heating and cooling,” says Posey Township Volunteer Fire Chief Larry Tempel.

Posey Township’s current fire house used to be a church built in 1911. The new fire house is expected to be finished by January.

Link with video:

http://mywabashvalley.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=191467

Posey Twp. VFD facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001994950955

Check back often as we will try and cover this project from start to finish.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by John Shafer on June 12, 2011 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: Building Construction, Federal stimulus money, Green, Green Buildings, Green Firehouse, Green Maltese, greenmaltese.com, Indiana, John Shafer, Larry Tempel, LEED, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power Systems, Posey Township VFD, solar panels, Sustainable

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GO PURDUE!!

Gateway Midwest Fire & Leadership Training

Roanoke Green Station 3

Green Building in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future

Green Building Design Principles Video

Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department New Green Fire Station

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